UPDATE (Sept. 13, 9:20 a.m.) - Newton County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) Sgt. Cortney Morrison said Darnell Rene Floyd had his first appearance Sept. 11 and was denied bond. He is, therefore, still in the Newton County Jail. 

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COVINGTON, Ga. - After hearing gunshots while completing a separate call, Covington Police Department (CPD) Officer Mark Joyner reportedly heard several gunshots about a block away and started investigating. 

Around 10:30 p.m., Joyner noticed a blue Expedition with the headlights turned off leaving the area. The vehicle did not stop when Joyner attempted a traffic stop, according to a CPD statement.

Around the same time, officers received a call about a male shot at 4180 Washington St., in Covington. 

Joyner and Officer Matt Moseley continued chase of the Expedition onto Interstate 20.

Officers at the Washington Street address were able to determine the driver of the Expedition, later identified as Darnell Rene Floyd, 33, of Conyers, was the shooter. Also in the vehicle was a female and an infant. According to the report, Floyd was traveling with a rifle and pistol in the Expedition. 

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) deputies assisted CPD in the pursuit when Floyd exited in Conyers at West Avenue, drove through downtown Conyers and got back on the interstate heading east. RCSO deputies performed a "P.I.T.T. maneuver" and apprehended Floyd, according to the statement. 

At the crime scene, officers found Telmo Ortiz, 24, of Jackson, laying in the yard with several gunshot wounds. Ortiz was unresponsive and Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis pronounced him deceased. Ortiz's body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) State Examiners Office for autopsy.

Floyd was transported to the Newton County Jail where he will face charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and felony fleeing, according to the statement.